BACKGROUND: Workers in the microbiology laboratories are continuously exposed to the risk of laboratory-associated infections. Tuberculosis (TB) is a frequent laboratory-acquired infection owing to production of cough-generated aerosols with ease and high infectivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aims to investigate the current situation of biosafety in Korean TB laboratories. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey of laboratories in hospitals conducting TB tests using questionnaires about their facility and management standards. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 52 hospitals nationwide that have a capacity of 100–2,000 beds, of which only two laboratories conduct high risk drug-susceptibility testing on cultured isolates among other test items, whereas six laboratories perform only direct sputum-smear microscopy. The remaining laboratories performed moderate-risk activities/tests, like sample processing for culture. In the majority of these laboratories, there are laboratory medicine specialists who are fully in charge of health checkup programs for laboratorians. The facility and management standards vary widely according to the size of the hospital and risk of TB tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey results about the current situation of TB laboratories could be useful as baseline data for preparing biosafety guidelines for all TB laboratories in Korea.
Aerosols ; Korea* ; Microscopy ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Specialization ; Tuberculosis*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Pneumoconiosis*

This study was to find out whether the rendering screen difference affect to measuring distance in a CAD program according to three types of CAD programs. Materials and methods: The model presented in ISO 12836 for dental scanner evaluation was reduced by 70%. This model was repeatedly scanned 15times using Trios II (3Shape, Denmark). Using the output STL file, 3Shape CAD, inLab 15, and ExoCAD programs were used to measure the horizontal distance (H) and vertical distance (V) between adjacent point angle, and for each experiment, three groups were set according to the CAD program type. Statistical analysis was performed using One-way ANOVA test and post hoc was performed using Dunnett T3 test. Results: In the horizontal and vertical distance measurement, there was no difference in the average of the measured values between the three groups according to the CAD program (P>.05). Conclusion: There were no effect of the difference in the rendering screen in the horizontal and vertical linear distance measurements of the inlay model on the dental CAD program.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Microscopy, Electron* ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal* ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal* ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Rats*

Endometrioma is a common clinical condition, but cases in which an episiotomy scaris present are, however, rare: only two cases have been reported in obstetric journals, and one other in a radiologic journal. All three were in English. We encountered a case in which a solitary endometrioma was present in the perineal region beneath an episiotomy scar. An irregularly marginated hypoechoic mass was revealed by US, and a discrete homogeneous enhancing mass by CT.
Cicatrix* ; Endometriosis* ; Episiotomy* ; Female

PURPOSE: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane cell surface receptor which has tyrosine kinase activity stimulated upon EGF binding. EGFR was found to be up-regulated in various malignancies. Recently, chimeric monoclonal antibody (C225) to EGFR is under investigation as a targeted therapeutic agent for advanced colorectal cancer. Along with this advance, identification of EGFR expression in colorectal cancer became more important. METHODS: To investigate the expression of EGFR in colorectal cancer, we carried out the immunohistochemical staining in surgical specimen of 46 consecutive enrolled colorectal cancer patients of Korea Cancer Center Hospital from August, 1998 to June, 1999. The stained slides were read by pathologist and scored as negative or positive. These results were analyzed according to clinical parameters. RESULTS: Average age was 55 years old (32~73 yr) and sex ratio was 1.56 : 1. The expression rate of EGFR in colorectal cancer was 56.5% (26/46 cases). EGFR expression was not correlated with age, sex, Tie-1, Tie-2 expression, TNM stage, lymphatic invasion, presence of distant metastasis, serum VEGF level. We could not find out staitistical difference of survival according to EGFR expression. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR overexpression was well characterized by immunochemical staining method, which could be applied easily as a basic pathologic step to decide additional therapy after resection for advanced colorectal cancer.
Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Sex Ratio ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Female* ; Humans ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: To report a case of monocular elevation deficiency as the presenting manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CASE SUMMARY: A 23-year-old, otherwise healthy female presented with a 3-day history of vertical diplopia and headache. She had a left hypotropia, which worsened in adduction and supra-duction and a profound inferior oblique underaction (-3). Magnetic resonance imaging showed an enhancement around the left superior oblique muscle and multiple infarctions in the left midbrain. On repetitive serological tests, anemia, lymphopenia, and anti-phospholipid antibody were positive. A presumptive diagnosis was a myositis of left superior oblique muscle and hyper-coagulation related with anti-phospholipid antibody. Two months after high-dose steroid treatment, the vertical diplopia was resolved. Five months later, the left hypotropia recurred as a more severe form with the inability to elevate the left eye in all directions. In addition, the infarction associated with vasculitis recurred in the left midbrain. As the treatment with high-dose steroid failed to relieve her ocular symptoms, recession of the left inferior rectus was performed 8 months later. One month after the surgery, she developed multiple lesions of erythematous nodosa with tenderness. Skin biopsy of the lesion in the fingers showed the histological findings consistent with lupus. CONCLUSIONS: Eye movement abnormality can be an initial manifestation of SLE, which should be considered as a differential diagnosis especially in young female patients.
Anemia ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diplopia ; Eye Movements ; Female ; Fingers ; Headache ; Humans ; Infarction ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lymphopenia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesencephalon ; Myositis ; Serologic Tests ; Skin ; Vasculitis ; Young Adult

Traditionally, the Rhododendron species has been used in gastrointestinal disorder or hypertension. Grayanotoxin exists in honey, flowers, pollen, and the nectar of the Rhododendron species. We experienced 3 cases of Grayanotoxin intoxication. The symptoms of intoxication were nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, diplopia, dizziness, and chest discomfort. Generally, the treatment for Grayanotoxin intoxication is fluid resuscitation and injection of atropine sulfate. The patients who were intoxicated with Grayanotoxin were discharged without complication after supportive care.
Atropine ; Bradycardia ; Diplopia ; Dizziness ; Flowers ; Honey ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Nausea ; Plant Nectar ; Pollen ; Resuscitation ; Rhododendron ; Thorax ; Vomiting